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Tube Friendly High End "Big" speakers

I've been upgrading my system from good to great. I addressed the analog front end first and now have something respectable (Brinkmann Oasis w/ Graham Phantom II Supreme, Lyra Delos, SimAudio Moon 310LP, and Acrolink 8N Reference Phono Cable.

The system is being driven by a PrimaLuna Premium Dialogue Integrated and the speakers are Opera Seconda's in a smallish dedicated listening room. I'm moving into a much larger house, but will no longer have a dedicated listening room.

The room is 21.5' x 14.5' with lots of big windows and a high v-shaped vaulted ceiling which I'll treat with GIK acoustic panels. Not looking on advice on the room. It is what it is. Just giving a bit of info since I suspect it will be on the lively side. Here's a video. The room starts around the 2:10 mark: http://youtu.be/wrDpTsBDD_M

I'm looking to upgrade the Opera's. I really want a "big" speaker, something that will move some air and pressurize a room like this. My preference is for something tube friendly and I'll likely need to use my PrimaLuna for at least a few months. Not really interested in horns though.

I'm looking for a very 3D soundstage that's velvety smooth. Detail is great, but definitely nothing fatiguing as I tend to listen at higher volumes for extended periods. While I do listen to a lot of Classic Rock and Jazz, I also listen to a lot of more modern music. I want something that isn't going to make this stuff sound terrible.

I'm planning to buy used, so anything that retails up to $55-60K might be doable. TAD and Focal are on my radar right now, but it's difficult to read between the lines from reviewers to understand what will work.

Which speakers should I be considering?
bgupton
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
Ok, I see what you're getting at regarding speakers, but again certain models of the makes I noted do go lower than 40Hz. And the price is mostly within what you stated.

Well, I used the word cheating as a figure of speech really. Anyway, I see your point regarding subs. However, you are definitely an expert at this, and someone with less technical knowledge is gonna be overwhelmed by properly setting up a sub or subs.

So for me, careful placement of the main speakers, and my speakers weigh 120 lbs each, is more rewarding. I dunno what the consensus is, but I'll venture a guess that most audiophiles would rather set it and forget it. That would give more time to listen to music.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Dentdog,
I believe you regarding Jim's ability to extract the best sound from the system/room interactions. The problem is where someone is located, isn't Jim in Baltimore? So getting him to distant locations is the limiting factor. I don't question his expertise, just practical assesability.
Charles,
dentdog's avatar
dentdog
506 posts
 
Charles,
BTW your posts on this forum are very well thought out and informative.
Jim is in N Atlanta. But boy does he travel and he really gives it his all when setting up a room. He's a little OCD which in his line of work is a pretty good thing.
He asks for photos to see if the room is doable-some aren't. He's very pleasant company as well.
Tom,
whitecap
122 posts
 
Agree with the Tannoy recommendations, various models old and new will fit just right the tube amp/big speaker rock/jazz bill. Johnnyb53 also makes excellent points about the possibilities using subs.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Dentdog,
Thanks for your comments. If Jim were closer to me I'd give serious consideration to using his expertise to maximize my room's potential(what ever that may be).
Charles,
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